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TRENDING: Chalkboard & Paper Flowers

April 25, 2014 by Erica OBrien

Our contributor, Erica OBrien, owner of Erica OBrien Cake Design, is back for her second post in our new series called Trending.  Erica is helping us translate today’s top trends in fashion, design, art and everyday life into fabulous cake designs.  Watch each month as she goes from inspiration on pinterest to cake concept, sketch and then the final cake design.  With this insider look into her creative process, we hope you’ll start to see inspiration everywhere in world around you.  Today we’re tackling two trends in one, chalkboard art and paper flowers.  Erica will take it from here….

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

When it comes to using non-edible elements on a cake, I’m somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between those who insist that everything be edible and those who believe a few wooden 2x4s and some rice crispy treats qualify as a cake. I’ve always liked the look of real ribbon to finish off the base of a fondant cake, and won’t hesitate to use a non-edible button or brooch if I feel it adds to the design.

Lately, I’ve been in love with the paper flowers that seem to be everywhere, and I’ve even designed a few cakes featuring tissue paper flowers. But for this cake, I wanted to create an all-edible version of paper flowers–something fun and whimsical yet trendy and current.  Something crafted by hand, out of fondant.

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

To create the flowers, we made simple cuts using various flower cutters, layered them, and shaped to dry. To achieve the small scallop on the coral zinnia-inspired flower, we cut rounds out of 50/50 (50% gumpaste mixed with 50% fondant) and used a scalloped scrapbook scissors around the edge.  The leaves were cut by hand and layered using different greens for depth.

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

We chose a chalkboard monogram to compliment the darker tones in the flowers and leaves. For the chalkboard, we rolled black fondant thin and laid it on a flat surface. We then mixed white petal dust with vodka and painted it on to our fondant chalkboard.

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

The cake is displayed on our 12″ Painted Flowers Cake Stand in Vintage Green, available in our online shop.

Chalkboard & Paper Flowers  |  translating trends into cake designs | by Erica Obrien for TheCakeBlog.com

 

VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake : Erica OBrien Cake Design
Cake Stand :  Thoughtfully Curated Cake Stands 
Inspiration Image #1 : Rifle Paper Co.
Inspiration Image #2 : Lily and Val

April 25, 2014 by Erica OBrien

Erica OBrien , CONTRIBUTOR

Erica OBrien has been a cake designer (and avid cake stand collector) for almost twenty years. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two spunky daughters. Read more about Erica on her bio page.

connect with Erica :

Make the most of citrus season with one of these cake recipes!

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Comments

  1. Hilary Stone says

    April 25, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Loved this post as I do all the others..

  2. Frances says

    April 25, 2014 at 10:42 am

    Beautiful cake! I love the flowers.

  3. Lisa Donnelly says

    April 25, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Love seeing the inspiration, design, and final outcome…beautiful!

  4. Ge's says

    April 25, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Excellent gift for teacher’s day on May 15th, in Mexico, thanks!

  5. Brenda's Wedding Blog says

    April 25, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    I love this – so fun to see the inspiration translated into an all-edible version of a cake

  6. Erica OBrien says

    April 25, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Thanks Carrie, as always, for featuring our work! I love this design and the inspiration behind it. So rewarding to read your readers’ feedback!

  7. Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land says

    April 29, 2014 at 11:27 am

    gahhh i’m in love, erica!! always love your gorgeous, creative designs and i am SO excited about the “paper flower” look but in 1/2 gumpaste, 1/2 fondant! can’t wait to give it a try! thank you for sharing how it all comes together too from the pins to the drawing to the final piece. xo

  8. Melanie says

    April 29, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Gorgeous! Such a cute idea for a wedding cake if you could put the two initials, e.g C & M or something! xx

  9. Ritika says

    May 6, 2014 at 6:29 am

    Hi Erica !

    It is beautiful cake for wedding. I love this design and flowers.

  10. Odvar says

    October 23, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    Beautiful cake I love the concept.

  11. Melissa @ Flowers Delivery says

    May 16, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    Love seeing the inspiration, design, and final outcome…beautiful!

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